What does the somatic nerve do?

The somatic nervous system is a component of the peripheral nervous system associated with the voluntary control of the body movements via the use of skeletal muscles.

What do somatic motor neurons release?

The preganglionic neurons of both the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions release the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. The postganglionic neurons of the parasympathetic system also release acetylcholine; however, postganglionic sympathetic neurons release norepinephrine.

What does the nerve innervate?

The word innervate sounds like what it is — it means to “put the nerves into” something. When nerves go into muscle fiber, they innervate the muscle fiber. Innervate is to supply nerves to something, but it can also mean to energize. Think of all the energy you have when you get nervous!

What parts of the body are controlled by somatic nerves?

The somatic nervous system (SNS) includes all nerves that run to and from the spinal cord and send information to and from the muscles and senses. Generally, efferent pathways send information from the spinal cord to the muscles, and regulate motor functions involved in the movement of the body and limbs.

How many nerves are there in the somatic nervous system?

A large part of the PNS is composed of 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves. Some of the neurons in these nerves have sensory function and others have a motor function. The motor neurons that innervate striated muscles form the somatic nervous system.

How are somatic motor nerves connected to the spinal cord?

B. ANS innervate skeletal muscle. C. somatic motor nerves connect skeletal muscles to the chain ganglia of the spinal cord. D. ANS utilize one neuron to connect the CNS to the effector organ. E. ANS utilize two neurons in series to connect the CNS to the effector.

How are intercostal nerves part of the somatic nervous system?

Key Points 1 The intercostal nerves are part of the somatic nervous system. 2 Intercostal nerves connect to the appropriate ganglion in the sympathetic trunk through rami communicantes and serve the thoracic pleura and the abdominal peritoneum. 3 Unlike most other anterior divisions of spinal nerves, the intercostal nerves do not form a plexus.

Is the somatic efferent nerve the same as the visceral nerve?

If it carries information to skin or skeletal muscle, then it is a somatic efferent nerve. As the term visceral is often a synonym for autonomic (nervous system), note that general visceral nerves carry autonomic nerve fibers to/from the target organs.